The Aramaic Bible, Volume 19: The Targums of Ruth and Chronicles
Overview
While any translation of the Scriptures may in Hebrew be called a targum, the word is used especially for a translation of a book of the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic. Before the Christian era, Aramaic had in good part replaced Hebrew in Palestine as the vernacular of the Jews. It continued as their vernacular for centuries later and remained in part as the language of the schools after Aramaic itself had been replaced as the vernacular.
One approach to Chronicles would suggest that it was not considered an altogether vital component in the canon, but later it came to play a specific interpretative role. Others suggest that it came to be regarded as the authorized version of the history of Israel.
In the Jewish liturgical tradition the Book of Ruth is read at the festival of Shavuot, or Pentecost, and it may be conjectured that the Targum originated in conjunction with this practice. The Targum of Ruth exists in a large number of manuscripts; the eight used in the present work are of European provenance.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Offers a translation by experts in Aramaic and Hebrew
- Contains succinct verse-by-verse translation
- Preserves the particular and peculiar nature of the original Aramaic translations
Most Highlighted Verses in The Aramaic Bible, Volume 19: The Targum of Ruth and The Targum of Chronicles
Ruth 1:10: They said to her, “We will not go back to our people and our god, but rather we will go with you to your people to become proselytes.”
Ruth 3:8–9: In the middle of the night the man was startled, and he was afraid, and his flesh became soft like turnip from fear. He saw a woman lying at his feet, but he restrained his desire and did not approach her, just as Joseph the Righteous did, who refused to approach the Egyptian woman, the wife of his master, just as Paltiel bar Laish the Pious did, who placed a sword between himself and Michal daughter of Saul, wife of David, whom he refused to approach.“Who are you, my daughter?” he asked. “I am Ruth your maidservant,” she said. “Let your name be called over your maidservant by taking me in marriage, for you are a redeemer.”
Nothing can replace a scholar’s firsthand interaction with an ancient text in the original language. But insofar as this volume and the series as a whole can serve as a catalyst to direct attention to the targumim, they represent a worthy effort.
—Journal of Biblical Literature
- Title: The Aramaic Bible, Volume 19: The Targums of Ruth and Chronicles
- Translators: Derek R.G. Beattie and J. Stanley McIvor
- Publisher: Liturgical Press
- Publication Date: 1994
- Pages: 270
- Christian Group: Catholic
- Resource Type: Ancient Texts
- Topic: Judaica
Derek Robert George Beattie is lecturer in Hebrew and Semitic studies at Trinity College in Dublin.
J. Stanley McIvor translated and edited the targums on the Chronicles in The Aramaic Bible series.